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Barry Levinson Biography

Birth Place:
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Profession
Director, producer, screenwriter, actor

Fast Facts

  • After college, was for a period of time the roommate of George Jung, the would-be drug smuggler who was the basis for the movie Blow (2001)
  • Began his entertainment career as a stand-up comic, which led to an Emmy-winning stint as a performer and writer on The Carol Burnett Show
  • Cowrote and appeared in the Mel Brooks comedies Silent Movie (1976) and High Anxiety (1977)
  • Made his directorial debut in 1982 with the semi-autobiographical coming-of-age tale Diner
  • Executive-produced the gritty TV crime drama Homicide: Life on the Street, and also directed the pilot episode
  • Several of his movies are set in his hometown of Baltimore, including Diner, Tin Men, Avalon and Liberty Heights
  • Is a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team

Awards

  • 2018Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2018Emmy-Outstanding Directing For A Limited Series, Movie Or A Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2017Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2017Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: nominated
  • 2013Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries or Movie: nominated
  • 2010Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2010Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
  • 1998Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear - Special Jury Prize: winner
  • 1992Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1991Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated
  • 1991Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1991Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
  • 1991Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: nominated
  • 1991Writers Guild Awards-Original Screenplay: winner
  • 1990Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated
  • 1990Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Director: winner
  • 1990César Awards-Best Foreign Film: nominated
  • 1990Oscar-Best Writing (Original Screenplay): nominated
  • 1989David di Donatello Awards-Best Foreign Director: nominated
  • 1989Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1989Berlin Film Festival-Golden Bear: winner
  • 1988Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated
  • 1988Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: winner
  • 1983Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: nominated
  • 1982Oscar-Best Writing (Original Screenplay): nominated
  • 1979Oscar-Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen): nominated
  • 1977Writers Guild Awards-Original Comedy: nominated
  • 1976Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
  • 1976Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series: nominated
  • 1975Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series: winner
  • 1975Emmy-Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series: winner
  • 1974Emmy-Best Writing in Variety or Music: winner

Relationships